NC universities announce changes to spring semester due to omicron

As omicron keeps spreading at a record pace, local universities are making plans for how to adapt during the spring semester.

Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill both made announcements Friday.

Duke University announces changes to spring semester due to COVID

Duke announced that all classes will be virtual until at least Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Students were supposed to return to school Jan. 10, but the rapidly-spreading omicron has altered the plan. On Thursday, North Carolina reported its highest-ever daily coronavirus case count.

Duke officials said COVID-19 numbers are also increasing among students and staff. They anticipate a high number of people would test positive upon returning to campus, which would force them to isolate.

"This is a disappointing reality that requires us to once again revise our plans for the beginning of Spring semester in order to protect the health of our campus and community and to ensure the continuity of campus operations," a press release read.

Until Jan. 18, no hybrid or in-person classes will be permitted. All on-campus dining will be grab-and-go until Jan. 18, and no indoor dining will be permitted.

Students who live on campus can return to residence halls on Jan. 2 but are strongly encouraged to wait as close to Jan. 18 as possible.

All on-campus dining will be grab-and-go until January 18; no indoor dining will be permitted during this time.

UNC will allow each school on campus to determine strategy for COVID

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said the dean of each school at UNC Chapel Hill will determine how to handle classes during the first few weeks.

This is not necessarily the case across the entire UNC system. Rather, the dean of each school on UNC's campus will determine the mode of instruction.

With class set to start January 10, parents and students can expect to learn by next week about whether they start online or in-person.

The UNC faculty committee canceled its meeting this afternoon as a result.

Chair Mimi Chapman believes the autonomy to make decisions will be helpful.

ECU announces COVID protocols for spring semester

East Carolina University announced that most of its protocols are the same as the fall semester.

Students will need to submit a negative COVID-19 test before returning, and face coverings are still required in all indoor spaces.

The university is expanding its COVID-19 testing centers.

Duke University to require all staff to provide proof of booster shot

Days earlier, Duke announced it will require all staff and faculty to provide proof of a COVID-19 booster shot by Feb. 1. Doctors say the two-dose series of the vaccine doesn't provide enough protection against the omicron variant, but a booster shot reduces the risk of infection.

Duke's requirement is the strictest of the local universities to fight the spread of the latest omicron variant. Both North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are requiring tests for students returning for the spring semester, but vaccines and boosters are not required.

The press release from Duke on Friday ended by stating, "This is an uncertain time for all of us. We have to make decisions with the best information we have, and that sometime means quick and potentially disruptive changes. Through it all we are most appreciative of your commitment to safeguarding the health of our students and colleagues, their families, and the larger Durham community, as we navigate yet another unwelcome development in this global pandemic."